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Afghan security vacuum feared along "gateway to Kabul"

Mar 15 - Residents and security forces in Wardak, known as the ''gateway to Kabul'' express fears about a Taliban insurgency after U.S. troops leave. Sarah Sheffer reports.

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Afghan security forces in Wardak are armed and ready for Taliban attacks on the main road to the capital Kabul
But many are worried they won't be able to secure the whole region after US forces withdraw.
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai barred U.S. special forces from the province last month after residents complained they were torturing and killing civilians - allegations Washington strongly denies.
As the gateway to Kabul Wardak's mountains provide ideal staging grounds for suicide operations in the capital
One Afghan soldier says he has no doubt security will get a lot worse once the US troops pull out.
Whilst one resident says Afghan forces are not strong enough to stop attacks.
The US special forces are expected to play a major role in Afghanistan after most NATO combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.
And Karzai's decision could complicate negotiations between the United States and Afghanistan over the scope of U.S. operations after the pull-out.

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